Disclaimer: See first page

Notes: Thanks everyone for reviewing. So, thanks to: Pand, Transgenic-girl, SakuraAkira365, Dazedizzy, Mystic Fayth, RIP MuM i love you so much, Loisen, Ro, calistra,

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Same old story everyone knows,

One heart's holding on,

The other one lets go…

- Unknown

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Miguel took Max to a nice new bar. Max spent over an hour talking to Miguel, with the irritating feeling that something was wrong with this picture. So, after a while she started dropping things into the conversation. Things she had talked about with her secret admirer, but she showed no reaction.

After a couple of hours, they left the new bar. Neither of them noticed a pair of sad hazel eyes watching them from the shadows as they fled from the noise and laughter, and blended into the night.

They had been walking for awhile, and finally they came to the docks. Max finally asked the question that had been on her mind all night, the thing that had first tipped her off that something was wrong. "Why a rose?"

They had been silent for a few minutes and her question had shattered that silence into a million pieces. Not unlike the millions of pieces her heart had shattered into months ago, when she had fled from the city unable to deal with a man's rejection. A man who she had been thinking a lot more about lately. Too much, for someone who was on a date with another man. He wasn't interested, she told herself firmly, it's only fair that I moved on. But had she really?

She was jolted out of her thoughts by Miguel's voice, smooth and deep, as he answered her question. "It's a romantic gesture isn't it? The red rose. Classic romance."

But meaningless on a personal level, Max protested inwardly. He seemed to sense something of her thoughts as he asked,

"Why? You didn't like it?" he sounded genuinely puzzled and she couldn't think of a reason why her secret admirer would drag something out like this if she was on a date with him. So, she silently admitted to herself, she had made a big mistake.

"Roses aren't exactly my favourite flower." Max replied nonchalantly. She replied like it wasn't a big deal, which in hindsight it wasn't. Hells fire, she could be so dense sometimes!

"Oh, I'm sorry." Miguel replied. "I didn't know."

"That's ok. Don't sweat it." Max faced him kindly.

"Bu-uttt?" Miguel dragged the word out, as he turned to face her.

"But, what?" Max asked with some confusion.

"'But' you have that sound in your voice most people get when they are about to dump someone else, but don't know how to do it without hurting their feelings." Miguel said a little bit sadly.

The sharp tongued brunette almost asked if he'd had so much experience in the matter, but she quickly bit her tongue. She was going to dump him in a way, so she might as well be nice. After all, she actually liked him...just not in a romantic way. She turned to look at him, really look at him. The moonlight shone through the pollution in the air around them to highlight his hair, and cheekbones. His body, hard and lean, was very attractive. And his eyes…his eyes, velvety dark and oh so lovely pleaded with her not to end it.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"What for?" he asked softly. "I've been dumped before. Admittedly, I like you better than I liked anyone else I've dated…but still. I'll survive."

"No, it's just…I thought you were someone else. I wanted to believe that, but damnit, I've been so stupid! I never meant to hurt you." Her soft doe eyes begged for him to believe her. And he did.

"How could you think I was somebody else?" Miguel asked her with some confusion.

"It's a long complicated story," she waved her arms around emphatically. "That mostly involved me being stupid."

"He-ey." He said softly, as he captured her hands. "You are not stupid."

Looking down into her eyes was a bad mistake, but one Miguel had made. His voice turned huskier as he asked, "Can I kiss you? Just once." He pleaded.

Silently Max nodded, "Okay" she said softly.

He didn't need any encouragement before he leaned down and captured her lips with his own.

Kissing Miguel, was wonderful. Hell, it was amazing. The dark eyes transgenic was a really good kisser, and as she tangled her tongue with his she was glad she had let him kiss her. But as good as he was, and as great as it felt to be held in someone's arms as fire began to speed through her veins, it wasn't right. And no matter how much she wanted to forget, the truth is it wouldn't be fair to him or to her. Because he wasn't who she was looking for.

With that realisation Max slowed down the kiss, and they both tapered off until they were through. "I'm sorry." Max said helplessly. Nothing she said, was going to make him feel any better.

"No, I'm sorry." Miguel said. "Well, not for the kiss…" he grinned as she chuckled. "The kiss was amazing, I am not sorry for the kiss." The transgenic was emphatic about that point, "But I am sorry I'm not the one you're looking for, or the one you need." Miguel finished softly.

Max's chuckles died out. They went home, and Miguel saw her to her apartment door. She opened the door, and Miguel stopped her. He gently kissed her lips in what could only be considered a romantic goodbye. "Take care. I'll see you around."

"See you Miguel." She replied softly before going in and closing her apartment door.

Max walked in, and headed for her room before changing course midway. Abruptly she turned away and powered up her computer. She sent an e-mail to DarkFlamesRise, and then turned off her computer.

Later that night as she stared out of the window in her room, letting the moonlight lull her to sleep she thought over the message she had left for her secret admirer whoever he may be. 'I want to meet.' She had written. For better or for worse, Max thought, she would know who her admirer was soon.

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AHHHH! Dodges the rotten fruit thrown Please don't be mad. I'll try and update soon. Grins winningly Please review?